Your performance in an executive role is largely determined by who you're driven to be on the inside. Of course you'll be measured by growth in revenue, innovation in product or service offerings, P&L, shareholder sentiment, earnings and a number of other tangible factors. After all you have a company to run. But your leadership of all the people in your organization who are contributing to those factors is the foundation of the company's success.

What drives us as humans and what's important to us as people is morphing. Once motivated solely by money, ego and status we've become all the wiser to see that these are not aspects that bring us happiness, meaning, and purpose. Our motivations are shifting as a collective to that of connection, authenticity and compassion.

Working for someone that has no emotional maturity nor awareness of how they treat others is draining, toxic and infuriating. It causes mental and emotional strife for the people reporting to that person and becomes stifling to their confidence, trust, demeanor and ultimately mindset.

The art in learning to say no is not to do so in order to block others from penetrating your existence. The art is to be self-aware enough that you know when you are already depleted, or when something may be a siphon to your energy.

Remember the next time you get roped into a gossip session: The universe is aware of what you think, do and say. You do not have to engage or agree. Mind your thoughts, act in noble ways and use language wisely. 

Holding space is key to forming a true connection because it allows people to feel seen and understood. This sense of value and belonging is what’s at the heart of networking. Everyone wants to be seen, acknowledged, understood, accepted.

I simply mold myself to the moment I’m in and accept it for what it is - a moment in time. Lamenting on what I am missing out on adds zero value to my life, so I don’t let those thoughts germinate.

Careers are not static. Your current role doesn’t define you. Rather, your drive, your attitude, your ability to seize opportunity, and to seek improvement do. This is how you get closer to living your purpose and attracting abundance in your life. 

It’s time to embrace that real people attract real people, and that true confidence comes from introspectively nurturing our REAL selves. You can’t fake it, you must cultivate it.

Most humans are never fully present in the now, because unconsciously they believe that the next moment must be more important than this one. But then you miss your whole life, which is never not now. 

I don’t behave differently because I’m with men or I’m with women. The truth is, there is a lot of noise surrounding businesses of all kinds, and I know that if I listened closely and took people’s comments to heart it would have suffocated me. So instead I rise above and operate at my own frequency.

Recognizing and sharing our value is not a transaction. It’s a two-way street. Lean into the conversations you’re having with people. Take a genuine interest in your connections. Understand that your success isn’t measured by your title or role in your company; it’s measured in the satisfaction you have in what you do and how you live. You intrinsically have value—share it and see it in those around you.

One of the hardest things I’ve done this year is take a break - a REAL one. I am not talking about just time off from work, but a break from my everyday life.

I get asked a lot how I have time to live my life. 

Imagine this: You’re five years old and out of the blue, your dad wakes up paralyzed from the waist down.